Favorite Aircraft...

[Paddles_up]

OK guys and gals...
What is your favorite aircraft...and WHY?

I have two. The first one is of course the DC-3/C-47 due it's contributions to aviation in the U.S. as we know it today! (Oh yes, and let's NOT forget the piston driven engines...gotta love 'em...nothing more romantic!)
The other one is the 747 for the shear size and payload capacity. It has more square footage than an american football field. I know there are larger aircraft out there (antanov) However, this aircraft retains it's elegance while maintaining brute strength. (And let's not forget to mention it's the aircraft I would choose to loose my "mile high viginity !!) :windsock:

[GB737]

OK ... my choice is only out of the aircraft that I've flown over the last few years, as a flight-attendant, I'm sure there are better aircraft.
Whilst I do like the 737, for its nice compactness, the A320, whilst of similar size, manages to be a lot more spacious and comfortable from all aspects, crew and for passengers.

[nwacrew]

My all-time favorite aircraft is the Super VC-10 because of it's incredibly beautiful lines and that spectacular "T" tail. Any of you junior folk unfamiliar with this plane should go to www.airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net) and look at some of the photos on file.

The Super VC-10's runner-up in the looks department, in my humble opinion, is the graceful Caravelle.

Both those (now retired) aircraft were so sleek that they appeared to be flying even when sitting on the tarmac. I feel fortunate to have enjoyed many flights on both of those exceptional planes.

[Studley]

Favorite aircraft I never flew in: DC-8, Caravelle, Super VC-10.

Favorite aircraft I have flown in: 757

Favorite aircraft I would like to fly in: Concorde

I love the styling on these jetliners.

[Nighthawk79]

Not easy to tell. I have favorite A/C in different categories like Studley

Favorite Classic airliner: DC3 & Lockheed Constellations.

Favorite classic jetliner: B727

Favorite airliner: 747-400

Favorite Warbird: P51D Mustang & B17

Favorite Jet: F14 Tomcat

Favorite Chopper: Bell UH-1 Huey

and of coz I would like to fly in the Concorde once

:pilot_2: :plane: :pilot:

[traveler]

Very cool : Concorde (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=305051&WxsIERv=QWVyb3NwYXRpYWxlLUJBQy BDb25jb3JkZSAxMDI%3D&WdsYXMg=QnJpdGlzaCBBaXJ3YXlz& QtODMg=TG9uZG9uIC0gSGVhdGhyb3cgKExIUiAvIEVHTEwp&ER DLTkt=VUsgLSBFbmdsYW5k&ktODMp=U2VwdGVtYmVyIDcsIDIw MDI%3D&WNEb25u=TWlndWVsIFNub2Vw&xsIERvdWdsY=Ry1CT0 FE&MgTUQtODMgKE=KGNuIDIxMCkgKDEyLzA2Lzc2KSBMaW5pbm cgdXAgb24gcnVud2F5IDI3Ui4%3D&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=ODE3 &NEb25uZWxs=MjAwMi0xMi0yNg%3D%3D&static=yes)

Cool and comfort : Gulfstream V (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=288372&WxsIERv=R3VsZnN0cmVhbSBBZXJvc3 BhY2UgRy0xMTU5RCBHdWxmc3RyZWFtIFY%3D&WdsYXMg=UHJpd mF0ZQ%3D%3D&QtODMg=RmFpcmZvcmQgKEZGRCAvIEVHVkEp&ER DLTkt=VUsgLSBFbmdsYW5k&ktODMp=SnVseSAyMSwgMjAwMg%3 D%3D&WNEb25u=UmV6IE1hbnpvb3Jp&xsIERvdWdsY=TjVHVg%3 D%3D&MgTUQtODMgKE=VGhlIEd1bGZzdHJlYW0gZGVtb25zdHJh dG9yIEdWIHNhdCBvbiB0aGUgYXByb24gYXQgRmFpcmZvcmQgd2 l0aCB0aGUgQkEgNzc3LTIzNiBHLVpaWkIgaW4gdGhlIGJhY2tn cm91bmQuIE5pa29uIEYtNDAxcywgVG9raW5hIDcwLTIxMG1tLC BGdWppIGZpbG0u&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=MjU2&NEb25uZWxs=Mj AwMi0xMC0yNQ%3D%3D&static=yes&size=M)

:pilot:

[Jenny@Nw]

Nostalgic planes I like:
Fokker DR 1
-agile Tri plane that was used to outmanuver opponents, the signature plane of "The Red Baron"
Goodyear Corsair
-those inverted gull wings just say "LIFT ME UP!"
Modern Plane:
747-400

[Studley]

A few more favorites of mine are listed below.

Favorite classic airliner: L-1649 Starliner (last Constellation variant)

Favorite classic warbirds: SBD-5 Dauntless, P-51D Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning, Fairey Swordfish (the most underrated aircraft of WW II, IMO), F-100B Super Sabre, F-8B Crusader, F-106B Delta Dart

Favorite modern warbirds: F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet, AV-8B Harrier II, F-15E Strike Eagle, A-10 Thunderbolt II, S-3 Viking

[Earthling@ALB]

Definitely the VC10 is the best T design - also the Russian IL-62 look-alike make it for me....

Trident 1/2e - another great T tail design...

Caravelle - ah... Nice design....

Comet 4, 4b, 4c - nice lines, love the engine placement...

727 - I am a Boeing Man.... Just like what they've done with the whole fleet...
The '27 is a work horse - just wish they kept it in production....

[nwacrew]

I also love the 727 and remember the first time I ever saw one. I was on the observation deck at the old Atlanta Hartsfield Airport in 1964, waiting for a Piedmont M-404 flight up to Kinston, North Carolina. A brand new United 727 taxied up to the terminal and it was love at first sight!

Wish Northwest wasn't retiring our 727's (though I admit the interiors need updating!). I think they have the best lines of any of the planes in our fleet. Each time I see one taxi past I think "someday plane freaks will sigh about this plane just they way they do now over Strats and Connies..."

[Paddles_up]

In reply to:<hr />
someday plane freaks will sigh about this plane just they way they do now over Strats and Connies



&lt;BIG sigh!&gt;

[jetstar]

Sunderland Flying Boat - very cool for it's day
http://www.vectorsite.net/avsund.html
The Lanc, two instructors in my flying group captained them at the age of 21. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/283623/L/
Difficult to comprehend having that responsibility at 21.
Those engines sound increeeeeeeedible Dispatcher! :grin:
And being a Midland boy, these were made all over, many plants are now car plants, ie Jaguar, Rover, Peugeot....they need no introduction! http://www.airliners.net/open.file/302626/L/

[LUV-Southwest]

Mine has to be the 747-400. It is just beautiful, and I totally love seeing Air Force One!

[Mystere IV A]

Well Jetstar, I know the Lanc pretty well too .....
Back in 1984, I went to Wallis island in the Pacific with couples of pals and in 3 weeks we disassemble a Lanc that was there since 1962. We brought her back to our workshop and since then we are working on her driving her back to her initial apearance.

Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:

[Mystere IV A]

Well I have several loved aircraft ! I cant even put an order on them , but here they are
- Concorde, so elegant ...
- Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, so beautiful and elegant too,
- Nord 2501 Noratlas, our Lady !
- Sud Est SE-210 Caravelle, also so elegant
- De Havilland Vamlpire
- Lockheed P-38 Lightning
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
- Lockheed L-1649 Super Starliner
- Douglas DC-3
and so many more ..... Well in fact, I cant name them all ...

Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:

[Jessica]

Airplanes! Yay!

Favorite aircraft I've flown on: 747-400 (upstairs...always)
Favorite aircraft I've flown: Cessna Grand Caravan 208-A
Favorite simulator I've flown: Navy T-45A Goshawk full-motion sim
Favorite aircraft I'd like to fly in: Concorde (if Studley and I can get companion fares)
Favorite aircraft I'd like to fly: 747-400 (left seat)

Aircraft I'll never get into again: Piper "trauma"hawk :mad_2:

[jetstar]

That is so great!! Keep me in the picture - I am so interested to hear about it!!

[Studley]

In reply to:<hr />
Favorite aircraft I'd like to fly in: Concorde (if Studley and I can get companion fares)



I'm sure we can. But is Concorde ready for us? :grin: :wink_2:

[Jessica]

I can see it now, Studley!

On take off...drunk already - I'm Leia - you're Han Solo:

Oh Han! Darth Vader's ship is right behind us on the runway!
Don't worry Leia - strap into your seatbelt and prepare for light speed! I'm preparing to throw this thing into hyperdrive!

The concorde returns to the gate in CDG before takeoff...Studley and Jessica are escorted off the aircraft and watch it take off from the window. Lord only knows which galaxy our bags end up in. http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/shrug.gif

http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/Starwars.gif

[Studley]

Jess, I wasn't talking about something that would get us kicked off the aircraft. LOL :grin:

[Studley]

I'm not checking any bags anymore. They'll be with me, wherever I go. :smile_2:

[Mystere IV A]

In reply to:<hr />
That is so great!! Keep me in the picture - I am so interested to hear about it!!



Hi Jetstar,

Have a look there at this URL :
Lancaster (http://www.chez.com/eternalflight/lancaster.html)
This website was done by one of my pal working on the bird with me.
I think you'll like to see it, and that's an english version :smile_2:

Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:

[skygirl2003]

Great info and pics of the Lancaster, mystere!
I can only imagine the thrill of the Post-Restoration.

[Mystere IV A]

SG2003,
Be sure about the thrill !!!!
Imagine we disassembled her in 84 in Wallis Island, last parts arrived Paris autumn 1986, and since then we are working on voluntary basis, with no credits, on wednesdays for the retired, saturdays and sundays for others .... almost 20 years ...
As I am not so often here on weekends lately so I can now hardly work on her and I miss it ....

Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:

[777FlyGuy]

As far as a great airplane that was smooth in the air and very crew friendly, the DC-10 30 series was the best. I was very sad to see them go from our fleet.

Currently flying, the 777-200 is an amazing aircraft. Also very comfortable for the working crew, but not as smooth in the air. (That third engine in the tail made such a difference!) Plus the air quality varies.

Both the 767-300 and the A340 are great, medium size aircraft. The A340 feels a bit more spacious, but love them both.

I like the 747-400 from an asthetic standpoint, but I don't like to work it. It's just too damn big. I hate the fact that you can be on the crew bus in Tokyo or Sydney and turn to the person next to you and not know who they are or where they were the whole flight. :blush:

[EXASaab]

In reply to:<hr />
I hate the fact that you can be on the crew bus in Tokyo or Sydney and turn to the person next to you and not know who they are or where they were the whole flight.



So can you imagine what the Airbus 380 SuperJumbo is going to be like? :shocked:

:grin:

[777FlyGuy]

LOL - I hope I never find out. I'm not looking forward to that one. :confus_2: Yikes, that sucker's gonna be a big mess.

[Angelflyer]

Call me crazy y'all but i am happy with a 737. i really like those planes and the md-80/90's are cool too.

[Highguy]

Jetstar,
Thanks for the great Sunderland link. When I daydream about romance and adventure, it always includes a flying boat. Then I come back to reality and find myself on a 737-300, what a letdown.
Seriously, I just read a great article, I think it was in Airways, about the last Sunderland in service, in Australia in the late 70's. What a great way to travel.
Highguy

[Swissmiss]

I loved our DC-10s at SAS. The work space was good nothing compared to the DC-9s that i had worked on before. I had a chance to work on a number of DC-8s as well.

[skytruck]

My favorite aircraft? well lets see. all of them on the history channel. everyone i see parked at the FBO or down by the lake. it does'nt really matter! I love them all.

[PAX]

I have to agree with AngelFlyer...I love the 737 series aircraft...although I wish it did have that 3rd lav! I dont know why the MD does but not the 73...oh well I guess the FAs will just have to deal with the lines. :smirk:

[SWAFA30]

In reference to the elusive 3rd lav on a the 737. Remember, aircraft cabins are designed to the airlines specifications.

If you ask Boeing to build you a 737 with 2, 3 or 4 lavs they will be happy to oblige. Here at Southwest, we only have 2 lavs because a 3rd would mean putting a "seat" on board that we could not charge for. For awhile we flew a couple of old Western Pacific 737-300s that did indeed have 3 lavs...1 up front...2 in the rear. We(the flight attendants) loved these planes because the layout did not require passengers to walk through our aft galley to reach the lav(s). Sadly, these planes have been converted to the forward-facing 2 lav configuration that all our new jets are delivered with.

[flymeaway]

I love the 737 series aircraft...although I wish it did have that 3rd lav!



Like someone else said, you could have your 737 built with an extra lav - at CAL, some of our bigger, newer, 'next generation' 737's have a fourth lav between coach and first. (I think most of the 800's and all of the new 900's have them.) Definitely a bonus for both the passengers and the FAs. :grin:

[Stew4AWA]

I am going to date myself with my favorite aircraft, and many of you will probably think I am bonkers, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? My favorite aircraft is the Convair 580. I have always had a love for this plane since my early childhood years and really believe that this is the plane that started my passion for the airline industry. I flew the Convair 580 many times as a child with Frontier Airlines from Alamogordo, New Mexico to El Paso, TX and Albuquerque, NM. Nothing compares to the power of those Allison 501 turboprops for an airliner in it's class.
My most memorable flight was the milk run from Alamogordo to Salt Lake City with intermediate stops (most usually 10 minutes with the number two engine still turning) in Albuquerque, Farmington, Cortez, Durango and Grand Junction.
I made this flight when I was 7 years old with my Mother as we made our way to Seattle (switching in SLC to Hughes Airwest). The Captain even allowed me to tag along during his walk-around while we were in Albuquerque. Ah, those were the days. After that experience, the Convair 580 has always had a special place in my heart. I even have a 1/72 scale model of the Frontier Convair (in the 70's turquoise and gold colours) that I proudly display in my room.
It's just a shame that most of the Convairs still flying are only hauling cargo now. They were such a great passenger airliner in my opinion. If anyone knows of any carriers in North America that still utilize the Convair 580 for passenger operations please let me know. I might have to just buy a flight for nostalgia sake!

Fly Safe! :pilot_2:
Greg

[PAX]

Yea Continental really does have it made! I have been on the 738 and she does have one right in the middle...but COA has less seats than say AA or DL...but do those 3 seats really make a difference? I mean honestly..I can see that in SWA's place where only 6 people on a 733 make that flight profitable! So they need half a row for that lav to go in to make money!! which leads to a big flying poop box and a loooong line happy trails :grin:!

[Paddles_up]

I flew the Convair 580 many times as a child with Frontier Airlines



OMG Stew4AWA, have you read the book "Golden Years of Flying"?
It's ALL about the original Frontier Airlines...with the Convair 580 and the DC3's! You will love it! My VERY favorite book in the world...not well written but the stories will leave ya ROFLYAO...or drying your eyes! :pilot_2:

[Earthling@ALB]

Let me add the A321 to my list... Flew this on the last leg of a trip...

This baby was quiet... I'm not sure how long the A321 has been out - or if it's still in production -
but this looked like it was brand new - very nice machine...

[Mystere IV A]

Well A-321 is still produced and there are still some under orders and construction and Airbus is still marketing it ....

It's not such an old aircraft as first flights were back in March 1993 for the 321-100 and December 1996 for the 321-200.

Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:

[Studley]

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge has a Convair 580 that they use to transport teams to away games. Painted in the school's colours of purple and gold, it looks like a big Mardi Gras toy. :smile_2:

[Stew4AWA]

Thanks for the title of that book, DXVixen. I will definitely be on the hunt now! Sounds like a great read for someone like myself who has such fond memories of the "old" Frontier Airlines!

Fly Safe! :pilot_2:
Greg